damrow



Dec, 21, 1926. 1,611,854

E.C.DAMROW CURD AGI TATOR Filed March 12, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 A y Ewarcmmm @MM/44, lo'fo v Dezmgz. Y l1,611,354

Ec. DAMROW v CURD AGI TATOR Filed March 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 t 'Haig Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATS rter aries.

EDWARD C. DAMROWQOF FOND DU LAC, "WISCONSIN, .ASSGNOR TO DA1/IRO?? :BROTHERS COMPANY, OF FOND DTI LAC, WSCONSN, A CORPORATON GF VJISCONSIN.

CURD AGITATOR.

Application filed March 12, 1926.

rlhis invention relates to that type of curd agitators for cheese manufactories in which the rotary agritatinp) or stirring` means during a normal stirring action has a back and forth longitudinal travel in the contents of the usual elongated curd iat, and the present improven'ients have as their objects:

To provide a structural formation and combinati-on of parts and elements whereby a simultaneous rotation and a back and forth travel is imparted to the stirring vmeans in an eifective manner and with a minimum expenditure. of powerk in effecting an elficient agitation of the contents of the curd vat.

To provide means whereby the carrier or truck of the stirring` means in its movement upon its horizontal supporting track is automatically released from operative connection with the driving means of the apparatus for a period of time during` which the stirring' means has continued rotation, and after the lapse of each period of rest of the carrier or truck7 an automatic rei-engagement of said truck and driving means is effected to cause a succeeding travel of the truck in a direction opposite to that of its preceding travel.

rllo provide means whereby the above mentioned period of rest of the carrier or truck can be varied in a ready and certain manner, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Yin the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a curd agitating mechanism embodying the present iniprovements. i

Fig'. 2, is a detail perspective view of a portion of the endless driving chain, with its engaging link, and one of the rocking` pawls of the stirrer carrying truck and the operating' arm of said pawl.

Fig. 3, is a top view of the mechanism.

Fig. il, is a detail horizontal section on line 1 -4T, Fig. 5, of the stirrer carrying truck and the parts and mechanisms mounted thereon.

Fig. 5, is a detail transverse section of the same on line 5, Fig. 4t.

Like reference numerals parts in the different views.

The supporting frame or trackway for the stir-rer mechanism will in the present izonstruction comprise track rails 1 of the channel form, secured together in liked parallel relation and supported in e horizontal indicate like Serial No. 94,124.

position a proper distance above a curd vat in any suitable manner, usually by suspension rods 2 depending from the ceiling of the vat room.

At the respective ends of the track rails 1. journal bearings are provided for transverse shafts 3 and 4l, carrying sprocket wheels 5 and 6 which form the support for an endless chain 7 located between the track rails 1 and having a detail construction hereinafter described.

'lhe shaft 3 of the sprocket wheel 5 is of the idler type. while the shaft l f the sprocket wheel 6 is of the driver typeand to that end is operatively connected by a change speed gearing 8 with the shaft 'of a driving motor 9 usually mounted on the track rail 1 as shown.

The stirrer carrier or truck of the present apparatus comprises a frame 10 having track wheels 11 for rolling` engagement in the channels of the track rails 1, in order to properly support and guide the truck in a horizontal plane and in a position inter mediate of rthe track rails as shown.

At the respective upper and lower corners of the frame 10, idler sprocket wheels 12 are revolubly mounted for the purpose of holding the upper and lower longitudinal stretches of the endless chain aforesaid in operative relation to a sprocket wheel 13 now to be described. i

The sprocket wheel 13 above referred to is mounted on a stub shaft on the truck frame 1() in a position between the aforesaid stretches `of the endless chain 7 so as to be capable of operative connection with both of said stretches during periods in the cycle of operations lof the present mechanism as hereinafter more fully set forth.

A. bevel gear wheel le is lixedly connected to the sprocket wheel 13 so as to rotate therewith., and has operative engagement with a companion bevel gear wheel 15, that is secured on a vertical shaft 16 journalled in the truck frame 10. The lower end of the shaft 16 depends a distance beneath said truck frame and near its lower end carries a head 17 for the attachment of a plurality of stirrer blades or wings 18 which may be of any ordinary and suitable form. ,lvVith the above described combination of parts a constant rotation of the stirrer blades is attained during the entire actual operation of the apparatus in a simple and efficient mam Cil nel', and regardless of the longitudinal location said stirrer blades may have in the usual elongated curd vat with which the n'iechanism is associated.

A material part of the present improvement involves means whereby the endless chain 7 aforesaid is automatically engaged with and automatically disengaged from operative engagement with the truck frame 10 aforesaid, in the attainment of a. back and forth travel of the stirrer blades in the curd vat, with a period of stop in the movement of the stirrer carrying truck at each end of the vat so that additional stirring or agitation of the contents of the vat may be had at such points. To such end a construction and combination of parts as follows, is provided.

In the length of the endless chain 7, aforesaid, a link 19 is arranged. Said link is formed with a transverse portion which projects above the surface of the chain for operative engagement with one or the other of a pair of pivoted pawls 2O carried by the truck frame 10, and so that when said parts are in active engagement the truck frame 10 will move along in unison with the chain 7. In addition the link 19 is provided with lateral lugs 21 at its opposite sides, adapted to engage and ride upon one or the other of a pair of curved rails or ribs Q2 forming a fixed part of the truck frame 10, and adapted to move said link 19 and along with it the adjacent portions of a stretch of the chain 7, out of engagement with the sprocket wheel 13 aforesaid and into the path of an adjacent pawl 2O for operative engagement therewith to attain a longitudinal travel of the truck frame and stirrer means mounted thereon. l

Eacn of the pair of pawls 20, and pairs of curved rails 22 above referred to have opposed relation to each other in diametric re.- lation to the axis of the sprocket wheel 13, so as to be in operative relation to the longitudinal stretches of the endless chain 7. The arrangement is such that while one stretch of the chain 7 is in driving engagement with the sprocket wheel 13, the other stretch of said chain will be moved out of engagement with said sprocket wheel by one or the other of the curved rails 22 for operative engagement with a next adjacent pawl 20 of the truck frame 10, and thus attain a simultaneous longitudinal travel of the truck and rotation of the stirring means mounted on said truck.

The above described operative engagement between a stretch of the endless chain 7 and the stirrer carrying truck is released as said truck nears an end of the curd vat in a longitudinal travel by releasing means as follows A pair of oppositely disposed operating `arms 23 are fixed on the carrying shafts of the pawls 20 aforesaid, in inclined positions and in the path of lateral operating studs or fingers secured to the track rails 1 near their respective ends, so that as the truck frame 10 nears an end of a longitudinal travel an arm 23 will contact with and move upon the stud or finger 24 at such end of the tracks 1 to cause a n'iovement of the pawl 90, then in engagement with the endless chain 7, out of such engagement.

W'ith the described constriietion, the constant rotation of the stirrer mechanism continues, while the truck frame 10 stands at rest until the chain link 19 aforesaid pas-es around a sprocket wheel 5 or 6, and into an operative engagement with another of the pawls Q0, to attain a travel of the truck frame. and stirring mechanism in an opposite direction to that which previously prcvailed.

Undue travel of the truck frame under inertia of motion is prevented by hook formations 25 on the ends of the aforesaid operating arms 23 con'iing into positive engagement with the stop studs or lingers 24 of the track rails 1.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the stop studs or fingers Q11 aforesaid, are carried by attaching yokes 2G bolted in place on the track rails 1, and in the preferred arrangement of parts shown in Figs. 1 and 23 secondary stop studs or fingers 2e" and carrying yokes 26 are adjustably s cured in a readily removable manner to the track rails 1, adjacent to and adapted to act in lieu of the fixed stops 2-l and carrying yokes 26, in shortening the travel of the truck frame 1() and stirring means carried by the same, when access, without interference, is needed to an end of the curd vat, during` and near the end of the process.

Having thus fully described my invention, what claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination of a horizontal overhead trackway, a truck frame havi g movement along said trackway, a vertical shaft journalled in "iid frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted on said trackway and extending` longitudinally of the same with its respective upper and lewe" stretches having operative engagement with said sprocket wheel. means for iniparting continuous n'iovement to said chain, and means` for intermittently connecting said truck fra-arf to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame and a simultaneowa dis-en ment of the adjacent stretch of the rhain from the sprocket wheel.

in an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination of a horizontal overhead traekway, a truck frame having iii] liti

il l) winnaainovement along` said traekway, a vertical shalt journalled in said trame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said irame and having,r operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain ymounted on .said trachivay and extending longitudinally ot the same, meani lfor imparting,l continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittent-ly connecting said truck iframe to said chain to attain 4a back and forth travel ot the trame, the saine comprising` a pair oit opposed pavvls pivoted on said frame, a projecting;l ink in the endless chain ttor siiccessive operative engagen'ientwith .said pawls, a pair ot' opposed curved rails on said frame i'or successive engagement with said linky to move the same into the path ot the paivls, opposed operating' arms associated with said pawls, and operating studs on the trarlivay for successive operati ve engagement with said arms.

Il. ln an :irritating ymech."-uiism ot the type dcscrihtal, the con'ibinatimi ol a horizontal overhead tracliway, a truclf: traine havingY movement along said trackway, a vertical Chait jmn'nalled in said iframe, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having; operating connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted on said traclrivay and eX- tending longitudinally of the same, n'ieans Jfor imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting' said. truck iframe to lsaid chain to attain a back and iorth travel olf the 'frame,the same comprising a pair oi opposed parvis pivoted on said frame, a projecting;` link in the endless chain for successive operative enggz'igi'ement with said pawls, a pair ot opposed curved rails on said trame tor successive cn- ;ragement with said linlz to move 'the same into the path ot' the pavrls, opposed operat arms associated with said pawls, and operating; sti4 ls on the trat vvay 'lor successive (merative engjagen'ient with said arms, the inclined arms having' hooks on their ends ior stop en gagemrnt with said studs.

4l. ln an agitating` mechanism ot the type described, the combination of a horizontal overhead traclrway, a truck frame having movement along' said traclrwav, a vertical shailt journalled in said iframe, a sprocket wheel iournalled on said `trame and having' operative connection with said shaft. an endless chain mounted on said traclrway and extending' lmigitudinally of the same` means Alor impartingl coptinuous movemeinv to chain, and means lor interniittently connectingr said truck 'trame to said chain to attainl a back and 'forth travel o1n the traine, the same comprising` a pair oi opposed pavfls piroted on said trame, a projecting linl; in the endless chain for .icce`sive engagement with said parvis, a pair of opposed curved rails on said frame for .successive engagement With said link to move the same into the path ol the paivls, opposed operating arms associated with said paul', a pair of main opeiatintg` studs lixedly attached to the traclnvay, and a pair oit supplen'ientary operating studs removablyv secured to the trackway in adjacent relation to said fixed studs, the main and supplementary studs being arranged in the path of and having operative engaggcn'ient With the aforesaid operating; arms.

5. In an agitatinp` mechanism of the type described, the combination of a horizontal 'overhead trackivay, a truck frame having n'iovelnent along; said trackivay, a vertical shalt jourmilled in saidy trame, a sproc l:et wheel joui'nalled on said lrame and lr ving operative connection with said shai't, an endless chain mounted on said trackway and c;;- tending' longitudinally oi 'the saine, idler sprocket wheels associated with the upper and lower corners off the lrucl; trau'ie Vtor engagen'ient with the endless chain to maintain the same in operative relation to the sprocket wheel carried by said trame` n' for impartinp,` continuons movement to s; chain, and means 'for intern'iittently connecting` said truck traine to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame.

6. In an agitating; mechanism of the type described, the combination of a horizontal overhead traclvvay, a truck frame ha-vin movement along said trackway, a vertical shatt journalled in said -frame, a sprocket Wheel jonrnalled on said frame and having operative connection vvith said shaft, an endless chain mounted on said trackway and eX- tending longitudinally of the same, idler sprocket wheels associated with the upper and lower corners Ot the truck frame for engagement with the endless chain to maintain the same in operative relation to the sprocket wheel carried by said frame, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame, the same comprisingl a pair ot' opposed pavvls pivoted on said `trame, a projecting link in the endless chain i'or successive operative engagement With said pawls, a pair of opposed curved rails on said frame for successive engagement with said link to move the same into the path oi the pawls, ol'iposed operating' arms associated willi said paivls, and operating studs on the traclway .for succesve operative engagemei'it with said arms.

7. ln, an agitating mechanism ot the type described, the combination ol an overhead trackway, formed hy a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck frame having` movementin the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft liournalled in said frame, a sprocket Wheel journalled on said trame and having' operative ronnec ion with said shaft, an endlessichain mounted between the track rails and extendingl thelength ot Sli the same with its respective upper and lower stretches having operative engagement with said sprocket wheel, means for imparting continuous movement of said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame and a simultaneous disengagement of the adjacent stretch of the chain from the sprocket wheel.

8. In an agit-ating mechanism of the type described, the combination of an overhead trackway formed by a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck frame having movement in the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel `iournalled on said frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted between the track rails and extending the length of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intern'iittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame, the same comprising a pair of opposed pawls pivoted on said frame, a projecting link in the endless chain for succesive operative engagement with said pawls, a pair of opposed curved rails on said frame for successive engagement with said link to move the same into the path of said pawls, operating arms associated with said pawls, and operating studs on the track rails for successive operative engagement with said arms.

9. In an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination of an overhead vtrackway formed by a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck frame having movement in the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted between the track rails and extending the length of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame, the same comprising a pair of opposed pawls pivoted on said frame, a pro- `iecting link in the endless chain for successive operative engagement with said pawls, a pair of opposed curved rails on said trame tor successive engagement with said link to move the same into the path of said pawls, operating arms associated with said pawls, and operating studs on the track rails for succesive operative engagement with said arms, the inclined arms having hooks on their ends for stop engagement with said studs.

l0. In an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination of an overhead trackway formed by a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck reines@ frame having movement in the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft liournalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having operative connection with said sha-ft, an endless chain mounted between the track rails and eX- tending the length of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame, the same com arising a pair of opposed pawls pivoted on said frame, a projecting link in the endless chain for successive operative engagement with said pawls, a pair of opposed curved rails on said frame for successive engagement with said link to move the same into the path of the pawls, opposed operat ing arms associated with said pawls, a pair of main operating studs Jtixedly attached to the track rails, and a pair of supplementary studs removably secured to the track rails in adjacent relation to said Xed studs, the main and supplementary studs being aranged in the path of and having operative engagement with the aforesaid operating arms.

l1. In an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination of an overhead trackway formed by a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck frame having movement in the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft iournalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on lsaid frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted between the track rails and exten-ding the length of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, idler sprocket wheels associated with the upper and lower corners of the truck frame for en- `gagement with the endless chain to maintain the same in operative relation to the sprocket wheel carried by said frame, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame.

12. In an agitating mechanism of tihe type described, the combination of an overhead trackway formed by a pair of channel rails secured together in spaced relation, a truck frame having movement in the channels of said rails, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted between the track rails and extending the length of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, idler sprocket wheels associated with the upper' and lower corners of the truck frame for engagement with the endless chain to maintain the same in operative relation to the sprocket wheel carried by said frame, and means for intermittently connecting said truck frame ifi() to said chain to attain a back and forth travel ot the trame, the same comprising a pair of opposed pawls pivoted on said trame, a projecting link in the endless chain for successive operative engagement with said pavvls, a pair of opposed curved rails on said Jframe for successive engagement with said link to move the same into the path Ot' the paWls, Opposed operating arms associated With said pavvls, and operating studs on the track rails for successive operative engagement With said arms.

13. In an agitating mechanism of the type described, the combination oi a horizontal overhead trackivay, a truck frame having movement along said tracliway, a vertical shaft jonrnalled in said frame, a sprocket wheel journalled on said frame and having operative connection With said shaft, an endless chain mounted on said traclrvvay and extending longitudinally ot the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck 'trame to said chain to attain a hack and forth travel ol: the trame, the same comprising a pair ot opposed pawls pivoted on said frame, a link in said chain formed With lateral lugs, a pair ot opposed curved rails on said trame for successive engagement With the lateral lugs of the chain link to move the saine into the path of the pavvls, opposed operating arms associated with said pavvls, and operating studs on the tracliivay for successive engagement with said arms.

la. ln an agitating mechanism ot the type described, the combination ot' a horizontal overhead trackway, a truck frame having movement along said traclrway, a vertical shaft journalled in said frame, a sprocket Wheel jonrnalled on said frame and having operative connection with said shaft, an endless chain mounted on said trackvvay and eX- tending longitudinally of the same, means for imparting continuous movement to said chain, and means for intermittently connecting said truck trame to said chain to attain a back and forth travel of the frame, the same comprising a pair of opposed pavvls pivoted on said frame, a link in said chain formed with lateral lugs, a pair of opposed curved rails on said frame for successive engagement with the .lateral lugs of the chain link to move the saine into the path of the parvis, opposed operating arms associated with said pawls7 and operating studs on the traclrway 'for successive operative engagement with said arms, the operating arms having hooks on their ends :tor stop engagement with said studs.

Signed at Fond du Lac, lllisconsin, this 3rd day ot March, 1926.

EDWARD C. DAMROV 

